On the back of the general election ballot is a single local article for a Special Town Meeting asking: "Shall the Town of Williston enter into a Communications Union District with one or more municipalities, under the provisions of 30 V.S.A. chapter 82 for the purpose of improving access to broadband services?"
A Public Information Hearing is scheduled for 8 PM on Tuesday, November 1st as part of the Selectboard meeting for an overview on this ballot question and for an opportunity to ask questions. It will be held in the Beckett/McGuire meeting room at Town Hall, and can also be joined using zoom by visiting this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82362606007
A Communications Union District or CUD is a new special unit of government that enables one or more cities/towns to build, or cause to be built, communication infrastructure together. There are currently nine throughout the State with over 200 cities/towns as members. Vermont has set a goal of achieving universal access to reliable, high-quality high-speed broadband internet services to all addresses. CUDs have been established throughout the State to assist with reaching this goal. High-speed broadband is defined as having download speeds of at least 25 mbps and upload speeds of at least 3 mbps. Currently in Williston there are 140 addresses that do not have access to these minimum speeds. Vermont's model is to build out fiber optic networks with speeds of 100 mbps for downloads and uploads to provide universal broadband service statewide.
A CUD as its own unit of government is separate from the local government of Williston. A CUD has no taxing authority and must fund the build-out via grants, loans, gifts, or private investment. Membership in a CUD poses no financial risk to the town or individual taxpayers, by state statute, meaning taxpayer dollars will not be used and if the CUD fails no liability falls to the member towns or taxpayers. Cost associated with a CUD for a resident would be if the internet service offered through the CUD is subscribed to. There is no obligation to subscribe.
The Town has several resources available to learn more about the CUD ballot question in the November election. Visit https://town.williston.vt.us/CUD to view a panel discussion about CUDs and access written information about the role of a CUD and how it functions along with a map of current broadband access coverage in Chittenden County. Please direct any questions you have to Erik Wells, Town Manager at ewells@willistonvt.org or 802-876-1168.
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